Hawaii Independent Party candidate for governor Mufi Hannemann has agreed to abide by the state’s voluntary campaign spending limit for this year’s election.

It is time for government to be returned to the people with elected officials who don’t always answer and are easily influenced by their major contributors. For our campaign to be successful, it will require strong and organized grassroots efforts so that we can make a difference by breaking the cycle of government run by big donors. Now isn’t that what we all really want?

We invite you to be a charter member of Mufi’s Hawaii 100. Our goal is to receive 100 new donations of at least $100 each by June 26. This means it is urgent that Mufi receives individual contributions from Hawaii residents beginning today.

We ask you to embrace our cause by also reaching out to three to five of your friends and ask them to support us as well. Visit Mufi’s Website at http://www.VoteMufi.com or click on the contribute button below. You can also mail your donation by June 26 to:

The Hannemann Committee • P. O. Box 459 • Honolulu, HI 96809

Thank you for helping us keep our momentum moving forward. Together—we can make great things happen for the people of Hawaii!

“I know in my heart of hearts that Mufi Hannemann is the best administrator.” Said Arakawa, who himself is running for a second consecutive term this fall. “He is very trustworthy and can be depended upon to do what he says he is going to do.”

The Maui county mayor said he has known Hannemann for more than three decades and has worked very closely with him through the Hawaii Council of Mayors.

“There are deficits virtually in every department in the state,” Arakawa said. “When you talk to the personnel, they tell you about lack of support in equipment, manpower and antiquated policies. Mufi, as a former mayor understands what it takes at the ground level. He has served several governors, and he has the executive experience to address these deficits.”

Hannemann, who ran against Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic Party primary four years ago and lost, said that he was “humbled and pleased to receive Arakawa’s endorsement.

“He has proven to be the quintessential mayor who can work in a bipartisan fashion and bridge the gaps between party divides.” said Hannemann. “Having worked with Mayor Arakawa over the past several years, I admire the fact that he is a knowledgeable, experienced visionary, and has the reputation of getting the job done.”

If elected, Hannemann said he intends to create the Hawaii Council of Leaders mode up of the governor and the four county mayors. He pioneered the formation of the Hawaii Council of Mayors back in 2005 when he was first elected mayor of Honolulu. The council continues to operate today, Hannemann’s news release said.

“The Hawaii Council of Mayors is proof positive that when all four county chiefs are working together, four heads are better than one.” Hannemann said. “With the proposed HCL, the mantra will be five heads – with the governor included – will also be better than one.”

He said the council of leaders will work toward strengthening government collaboration and cooperation at the executive level between the state and county jurisdictions, encouraging streamlining efficiencies and collaboratively planning strategy.

Top priority will be given to homelessness, the state hospital, transportation—including and interisland ferry service—public safety, allocation of the transient accommodations tax and collective bargaining, he said.

“If the state does well, the counties prosper,” the candidate said. “If the counties are strengthened, the state will benefit, and ultimately, the people whom we serve win.”

(Honolulu, Hawaii) – Hawaii Independent Party (HIP) gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann today secured a solid high-profile endorsement. Alan M. Arakawa, Mayor of the County of Maui, announced that he is giving full support to Hannemann in the 2014 governor’s race. Arakawa said the former Honolulu Mayor’s impeccable leadership is critical to the progress of the state of Hawaii.

“I know in my heart of hearts that Mufi Hannemann is the best administrator. He is very trustworthy and can be depended upon to do what he says he is going to do. We are at a time in history where the State of Hawaii has a dire need to be able to upgrade many things within its system,” said Arakawa, who has known Hannemann for more than three decades and worked very closely with him through the Hawaii Council of Mayors. “There are deficits virtually in every department in the state. When you talk to the personnel, they tell you about lack of support in equipment, manpower and antiquated policies. Mufi, as a former Mayor understands what it takes at the ground level. He has served several governors, and he has the executive experience to address these deficits. Mufi is very smart and a man of his word who truly cares about the people of Hawaii,” said Arakawa.

“I am very humbled and pleased to receive Alan Arakawa’s endorsement. He has proven to be the quintessential mayor who can work in a bipartisan fashion and bridge the gaps between party divides,” said Hannemann. “Having worked with Mayor Arakawa over the past several years, I admire the fact that he is knowledgeable, experienced visionary, and has a reputation of getting the job done.”

If elected in November, Hannemann announced that one of his goals is the creation of the Hawaii Council of Leaders (HCL) made up of the Governor and the four county mayors. He pioneered the formation of the Hawaii Council of Mayors back in 2005 when he was first elected mayor of Honolulu, which continues to operate strongly today. “The Hawaii Council of Mayors is proof positive that when all four county chiefs are working together, four heads are better than one. With the proposed HCL, the mantra will be five heads—with the governor included—will also be better than one.”

The HIP candidate said the leadership body will work toward accomplishing two goals: 1) strengthen government collaboration and cooperation at the executive level amongst state and country jurisdictions, and 2) encourage streamlining across the board and efficiencies within a collaborative planning strategy. Top priority will be given to issues dealing with homelessness, the state hospitals, transportation like the inter island ferry service, revenue administration, such as the TAT, public safety, and collective bargaining. Hannemann explained that, “If the state does well, the counties prosper. If the counties are strengthened, the state will benefit, and ultimately, the people whom we serve win.”

Present today were President Tenari Ma’afala and Vice President Malcolm Lutu of the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO), who also endorsed Arakawa in his bid for re-election on Maui. One week ago, Hannemann received dual endorsements by SHOPO and the Hawaii Sheet Metal Worker’s Union, Local 293, at the same location.

Mufi Hannemann and Les Chang officially file to run as a team for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii.

Mufi Hannemann announced that his running mate for the 2014 gubernatorial race will be Windward Oahu resident and decorated Air Force Veteran Les Chang. They will run together as candidates of the newly formed Hawaii Independent Party (HIP).

Both Hannemann and Chang officially filed their nomination papers at the State of Hawaii, Office of Elections in Pearl City at 1:30 today, kicking off the team’s campaign for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii.

Les Chang and Mufi Hannemann

Les Chang is a distinguished graduate of the University of Hawaii AFROTC program where he earned a BA in Education. He went on to an outstanding career serving his country for 30 years with major responsibilities for enhancing the quality of life for military members and their families throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

His last military assignment prior to retirement as an Air Force Colonel was being in charge of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Pacific Region with 8,000 employees and $1.1 B annually in revenues. When he left, Chang was recognized for leading the largest positive turnaround in employee morale and customer satisfaction in AAFES world-wide.

The Lt. Governor candidate’s military awards and decorations include: Defense Superior Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

He joined the City and County of Honolulu as the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation with the Hannemann administration from 2004 to 2010. He developed a laser-like focus on the make-over, repair and maintenance of city parks. Under Chang’s leadership, the City’s nearly 300 parks and gardens were transformed to be open and accessible to all users young and old and their ohana.

“Les and his wife Sharon love our nation and have a deep affinity for Hawaii which is why he returned to the land of his birth. He has a track record as a capable, caring and experienced leader, who totally immerses himself in the service of his community,” said Hannemann. “I’m honored that he has stepped up and answered the call to run with me.” “He is exactly the kind of hard-working professional that is needed to fix state government. For example, I envision him playing a prominent role on issues dealing with PACOM and the military, our second largest industry and the veterans in our State, and lending his ideas to enhance State parks and programs centered on the youth and elderly.”

Hannemann has vowed to return to the collaborative management style, often focusing on going back to the basics, that he and other directors like Les Chang brought to the City and County of Honolulu. “The Hannemann administration made things happen and got a lot of things done for the people,” said Chang.

“We all benefited from an exceptionally well-managed city for the Mayor’s six years at City Hall.” Hannemann has embraced the spirit of the Hawaii Independent Party, and adopted a theme of “Think Independently…Come Home To The Middle.”

“Our objective is to serve the people—not make decisions for them based on any one political ideology or without their input,” said Hannemann. “The will of the people must be respected and they want government to function efficiently, and put the needs of the people first, and that is exactly what we are going to do with coleaders like Les Chang.”

Excerpts from Dan Boylan’s Seasons Of The Political Year – MidWeek, May 7, 2014

Abercrombie already faces a primary challenge in the person of state Sen. David Ige. If he gets by his fellow Democrat in the primary, he will then face a rematch with the two men who opposed him in 2010, Republican Duke Aiona and newly minted Independent Mufi Hannemann.

Gail & Mufi with Frank Fasi and Joyce at the dedication of the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building

Hannemann’s decision to run as an Independent finds historical precedent in the dilemma of the late Frank Fasi. Democrat Fasi began running for governor in 1974, but he could not get through the Democratic primary. George Ariyoshi beat him twice in a four-person contest in ’74 and again in 1978.

In 1994, Fasi created something called the Best Party and ran a third time for Hawaii’s highest office. The Democrats put up Ben Cayetano; the Republicans, Pat Saiki.

Cayetano won with 35.8 percent of the vote. Fasi, on the basis of a devoted personal following, ran second with 30 percent. Saiki finished third with 28.6 percent.

This year Hannemann is betting that he can do what Fasi couldn’t, that his base of supporters is rabid enough to carry him past the candidates running under the more traditional Democratic and Republican labels – and he’s undoubtedly carrying around some polling numbers that indicate he can do it.

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men [and women] have died to win them.” -Franklin D. Roosevelt

“And I’m proud to be an American, at least I know I’m free and I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me and I’ll probably stand up next to him to defend her still today, cuz there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA “ – Lee Greenwood

“Happy Memorial Day , especially to the families and loved ones of those Patriots who lost their lives in the service of our beloved country.” -Mufi and Gail

I have always been impressed and grateful for all the effort and work put forth by the Girl Scouts and Boys Scouts every year to ensure that Memorial Day in the 808 is a memorable and treasured moment for all of us to reflect, remember and experience. HonoluluStarAdvertiser Article: Girl Scout leads peers to decorate vets’ graves.